By Peter Halima
Nairobi, Kenya – Senior Counsel Martha Karua has taken a strong stance against Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu and her administration, formally petitioning the African Union (AU) to intervene following the alleged detention and torture of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agathar Atuhaire.
In a letter dated Thursday, May 22nd, Karua, as convener of the Pan African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network, urged the AU, East African Community (EAC), and Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address the situation and demand justice for both Mwangi and Atuhaire. Mwangi was deported from Tanzania to Kenya by road and left in Ukunda, while the whereabouts of Atuhaire remain unknown.
“We, the Pan African Progressive Leaders’ Solidarity Network and co-signing human rights organizations, write to bring to your urgent attention a grave situation unfolding in the East African Community that threatens the rule of law and human rights principles that are fundamental to our shared democratic values,” Karua’s statement reads.
The letter highlights that the detention of Mwangi and Atuhaire was preceded by the deportation of six International Trial Observers, including prominent figures such as a former Chief Justice, a former Minister of Justice, and a member of the Law Society of Kenya Council, all of whom had arrived with the same mission.
Karua asserts that the detention and alleged mistreatment of the two East African citizens violate national and international human rights standards, demanding swift and decisive action from regional and continental bodies.
The letter outlines ten specific demands presented to the AU, EAC, and SADC, including calls to:
- Raise the issue in bilateral talks with Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to legal processes.
- Issue a joint diplomatic statement expressing concern over the forced disappearances and deportation of East African citizens, urging a swift resolution.
- Collaborate with the East African Community Secretariat to organize an extraordinary meeting to address this violation of regional human rights and rule of law protocols.
- Deploy diplomatic observers to monitor any court hearings should the activists resurface within the judicial system.
- Review bilateral aid programs with the relevant governments, taking into account conditions related to human rights compliance.
- Provide international legal experts to assist local human rights defenders handling these cases.
- Activate relevant international human rights mechanisms, such as UN Special Procedures and regional human rights organizations.
- Continue public diplomacy efforts that highlight the significance of human rights and good governance as fundamental principles in the region’s international relations.
Karua has requested a response with an update on the matter within three days, emphasizing the vital role the organizations play in holding member states accountable for their commitments to human rights and the rule of law. The appeal underscores growing concerns about human rights and due process within the East African region, particularly concerning the actions of the Tanzanian government. The international community will be watching closely to see how the AU and other regional bodies respond to these serious allegations.
